Good morning Buckeye faithful and welcome to your Tuesday Skull Session.
Well, the long wait for the college football season begins. And while it may only be a couple months of waiting, it's still not easy, especially with all the great headlines that are going to be made this upcoming year.
But before we dive head first into football season, I just want to say how jovial I was hearing the news that Deshaun Thomas will be back in Columbus for his junior year.
A season which ended so poorly has a somewhat happier ending. And now, we don't only have football season to be thrilled about but basketball season as well.
Granted, Thad Matta's team isn't going to be as good as this squad was this year, but Jared Sullinger isn't easy to replace. The Buckeyes will, however, have talent and that can only lead to a promising season.
So with that, I've finally cleared my head of Ohio State's 2011-2012 season. Now it's finally time to move forward and see what Urban Meyer has up his sleeves.
Let's get rolling:
CIRCLE OF TRUST. The end of Urban Meyer's career in Florida was somewhat of a mystery. Meyer had won two national titles, was attracting every big name recruit, and was running one of college football's elite programs. Meyer said he left to spend more time with his family and for health reasons, but perhaps there were more sinister reasons for his departure.
Sporting News' Matt Hayes recently released an article with a slew of charges against the current OSU head coach for his days at Florida University. The article alleges that Meyer let the Florida program fall into the control of its players and that Meyer had helped create this culture which set Florida's program back.
Hayes cites that Meyer had let star players get the better of him. Percy Harvin allegedly was fed up with strength and conditioning drills one day that he refused to continue. The next day, apparently the team was playing basketball as conditioning instead of running.
The article continues to discuss how Meyer failed to control the rampant drug use on the team. Several of his players including Aaron Hernandez, Brandon Spikes, and Janoris Jenkins had tested positive for marijuana. Additionally, Jenkins, Chris Martin, and Kedric Johnson were all arrested in separate incidents for marijuana possession, although these incidents did occur under Will Muschamps' tenure.
There are many more stories and allegations in the article, but it is clear that some unpleasant things happened at Florida. I'm sure some of these stories are blown out of proportion and that many things were lost in translation. All I know is that these things mentioned this story happen on every college football team.
How shocking it is that players use drugs on teams, or that a star player freaks out at a coach or his team? Not very, but while these things aren't positive, they do happen and it's up to the head coach to help find practical solutions to these issues. Hopefully this is what Meyer preaches here in Columbus.
BACK TO THE PRESENT. While Meyer's last days at Florida have been scrutinized and called into question, very few are debating the excitement he has created with his plans to completely revamp the Buckeyes' offense this season. Few, in fact, are more excited than his players who have said nothing but positive things about the new offense.
“Teams should be scared, I think,” Stoneburner said. “The way we practice and the way our offense is set up, with the guys we have, it’s going to be unbelievable out there. It’s going to be a show."
Even offensive linemen are getting excited about the potential of gaining big yards on every play next year.
“I just think it’s really exciting being out there knowing the guy running your offense is Coach Meyer,” left tackle Jack Mewhort said. “Anything can happen at any time. You can score on any play.”
While it's great to see that players are so passionate about Meyer's system, there are still plenty of holes that need to be filled. OSU has plenty of talent at quarterback and running back, but Ohio State still lacks an offensive talent to take all the pressure off these two positions.
Receivers, tight ends, and fullbacks need to be ready because anyone could be called on in this new offensive system.
Percy Harvin: basketball enthusiast.
BURKE IS BACK. Just when it looked as though the Buckeyes were going to lose some competition in the Big Ten next season, it looks as though Michigan will get back their star point guard back.
Trey Burke, like his former high school teammate Jared Sullinger, will return for his sophomore season. Burke was the Big Ten Freshman of the Year last season and helped lead Michigan to the NCAA tournament. Oh yeah, and then they lost in the first round to Ohio University.
Burke is a truly phenomenal player and will only continue to get better moving forward. Let's just hope Aaron Craft's defense is still up to par like last season.
It will certainly be interesting to see how this rivalry develops because both are arguably the best point guards in the conference.
SATURDAY FUN DAY. For all students who can't even wait until the spring game, this Saturday students will be able to check out the team's 10:45 a.m. practice at Ohio Stadium. All that is needed for admission is a student i.d.
After the practice ends, students will be able to walk on the field and chat with coaches as well as players. Students will be able to tour the team's locker room, visit the press box, and much more.
The doors will officially at 9:30 a.m. and students will be allowed to stay until 2 p.m.
LOS LINKS. A different perspective on Sporting News' article... Happy 100 years Ohio State athletics... Michigan safety suspended... Baylor facing NCAA violations... Players protest for Isiah Thomas.
